Adorama Narrated: Editor’s Picks January 2026 and CES – Episode Summary

Main Theme:
This episode, “Editor’s Picks January 2026 and CES,” presents a curated roundup of standout photography gear and creative tech highlights from both the start of the new year and the CES 2026 show. Written by Daniel Norton and read by Nikki Haller, the episode blends personal reflections on upgrading equipment, hands-on impressions, and dreams for future gear, with a playful nod to the excitement (and occasional regrets) of trying new tools.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Annual Gear Refresh

• New Year, New Gear Ethos:
  Daniel opens with a relatable confession about waiting until after the holidays to revamp his camera kit, citing slow post-holiday months as the ideal time for pros to evaluate needs and make purchases.
  • “New Year, New Me, or maybe New Year, New Gear...I can't be the only one who dreams of camera gear, can I?” [00:17]

Editor’s Gear Picks

• OWC Thunder Bay 44 Bay 96TB Thunderbolt 3 RAID

  • Norton emphasizes the critical importance of fast, reliable local backup for professionals:
    • “A RAID is certainly not as flashy and maybe not as exciting as a new mirrorless body, but...it takes a huge weight off our chest to know we have a fast local backup.” [01:09]

• Leica Q3 Monochrome

  • As a self-proclaimed “die-hard rangefinder guy,” Daniel shares his fascination with Leica’s Q3 Monochrome:
    • “I must confess that the Leica Q3 Monochrome has really captured my imagination...the all-in-one simplicity and the files. Wow.” [01:44]

• OM Systems OM5 Mark II

  • Highlights the utility of Micro Four Thirds for birding and travel, especially when paired with a long zoom lens.
    • “Micro Four Thirds is an interesting tool in today’s full frame world…this combo might just be the answer.” [02:16]

• Panasonic Lumix S9

  • The S9, initially borrowed from the content team, becomes an unexpected favorite for its hybrid stills and video capabilities:
    • “Of course, after using it for a bit, I never returned the S9 to them.” [02:54]
    • “Lumix has positioned itself firmly as hybrid cameras and the S9 is definitely that.”

• Westcott 45-inch Round Halo Mono Softbox

  • Daniel nostalgically recalls this classic modifier from his early career, describing its impact on his beauty and fashion work on South Beach.
    • “The round shape, the diffusion, all made for a clean portrait and beauty light...those images I made with it moved me to the next level back in the day.” [03:38]

• LG Touchscreen IPS LCD HDR Monitor with Rolling Stand

  • An impulse purchase leads to an amusing story about sharing new gear with friends and losing it to content creation duties.
    • “You want me to make some content with it? How am I going to say no to AB? So you guys will get some cool content to watch and I have to stick with watching shows on a regular TV. Boring.” [04:11]

CES 2026 Highlights

• Shure MV88 USB-C Microphone
  • Daniel discusses the evolution of portable microphones, praising this USB-C update for its versatility across brands.
    • “I envy those who just grab their phone and start talking. However, the pro in me wants just a bit more.” [05:01]
    • “The previous version was great for iPhone users, but I like how USB C is making more and more products versatile for many brands and devices.”

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Dreaming of Gear:
  “I can't be the only one who dreams of camera gear, can I?” – Daniel Norton [00:17]

• On Micro Four Thirds Birding:
  “I've been having a hard time trying to capture the birds at my feeders with my phone. This combo might just be the answer.” [02:25]

• Losing gear to content creation:
  “I had this beauty all set up when my friend AB came by and said, that’s cool. You want me to make some content with it? How am I going to say no to AB?” [04:11]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:17 – Daniel introduces his annual gear refresh tradition
• 01:09 – Why pro-level local backup (OWC Thunder Bay RAID) matters
• 01:44 – Leica Q3 Monochrome impressions
• 02:16 – OM System OM5 Mark II and bird photography challenges
• 02:54 – Discovering and adopting the Panasonic Lumix S9
• 03:38 – Nostalgia and the Westcott 45” Round Halo Mono Softbox
• 04:11 – The LG Touchscreen monitor and sharing with team
• 05:01 – CES 2026 pick: Shure MV88 USB-C microphone for creators

Tone & Style

The episode maintains a conversational and enthusiastic tone, mixing technical insights with personal anecdotes and playful humor. Daniel’s reflections offer guidance for both hobbyists and pros, while Nikki Haller’s narration keeps the pace lively and accessible.

For Further Reading

To dive deeper into the discussed products or related articles, listeners are encouraged to check out the original posts on Adorama’s 42 West blog. Links to specific items and further resources are included in the show’s notes.